Incorporated in 1909. A home rule city governed by a mayor and city council comprised of five council members, all of whom are elected to staggered two-year terms. The chief administrative officer is the city manager who is appointed by the mayor with approval from the city council. Boerne is a full-service municipality, providing all the basic government services such as streets, police, fire, animal control, solid waste collection, electric, water, wastewater, gas, cemetery, library, parks, and recreation.

Historic Downtown Boerne: Stroll down Hauptstrasse (Main Street) to see the shops, restaurants and architecture from the late 1800s.

Agricultural Heritage Center: Established in 1986, its mission is to educate current and future generations on the historic farming techniques, implements, tools and artifacts that were used in the Texas Hill Country.

Cibolo Nature Center: A 100 acre center. Hiking trails are laid out to bring the visitor through four dramatically distinct eco-systems. The creek, marshland, meadow and woods each have a unique charm, and each has its owns set of plant and animal life to observe. Named one of the top ten hikes in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Educational center and bookstore in a restored historic building.

Cascade Caverns: A 105 acre park. Enjoy the cool comfort of 68 degree year round temperatures as you meander through underground pathways, huge cavern rooms and soaring cavern walls. Texas' only cavern with a 100' waterfall. Open year-round. An award winning natural attraction.

Enchanted Springs Ranch: Authentic Old West town. This 86 acre working ranch excites visitors with its rugged natural beauty, collection of exotic animals, and authentic time warp - a Western town right out of the 1800s. Originally designed for Western movies, this old west town has 30 buildings and has already been used in several TV films and commercials. Tours, lodging, gift shop, chuck wagon dinner shows, wild west days and wagon rides. Exotic animal park. Cowboy Christmas. Also available for weddings and private parties. Daily visitors welcome.

HISTORY: Handbook of Texas Online:
"In 1849 a group of German colonists from Bettina camped on the north side of Cibolo Creek, about a mile west of the site of present Boerne. They called their new community Tusculum, after Cicero's home in ancient Rome. In 1852 Gustav Theissen and John James laid out the townsite and changed the name to Boerne in honor of Ludwig Boerne, a German author and publicist. A post office was established in 1856 with August Staffell as postmaster. The community had only ten houses in 1859, but it was chosen as county seat by a margin of sixty-seven votes after the county was established in 1862. A courthouse was built in 1870 and was still in use in the 1990s; it was thus the second-oldest courthouse in the state. Boerne developed the reputation of having a very healthful environment and quickly became known as a health resort. By 1884 it had five hotels, assorted businesses, and 250 residents. Cotton, wool, and grain were the principal shipments, but timber, cedar posts, and building stone were also profitable commodities. The arrival of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway in 1887 brought increased economic opportunity, and by 1890 the population of Boerne had risen to 800.

Boerne residents voted to incorporate in 1909 and established a mayor-alderman form of city government. Also in that year they established the Boerne Independent School District. The population was reported at 950 in 1914, and the community prospered through the 1920s. The Great Depression of the 1930s, however, all but put an end to the tourism and cotton farming that had been staples of the local economy. The population fell from an estimated 2,000 in 1928 to 1,117 in 1931; it had risen to only 1,271 by the 1940s. In the 1950s, however, many residents turned to nearby San Antonio for employment, and Boerne became a bedroom community. The population grew at a slow but steady rate, reaching 2,169 in 1960. In the 1960s construction in neighboring Bexar County of the San Antonio Medical Center and the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as the completion of Interstate Highway 10, made Boerne even more attractive as a town from which to commute. Its population rose to 2,400 by 1970, 3,254 by 1980, 4,274 by 1990, and 6,178 by 2000."Named for Ludwig Boerne, a German author and publicist. Founded in 1852.

Boerne Area Historical Preservation; and Genealogical Society Of Kendall County (the Family History Place): See full details in "Non-Profits" below.

BOERNE AREA ARTISTS ASSOCIATION (BAAA): 830-249-7277; www.boerneart.com. Artists and galleries in Boerne welcome you to explore their diversified art community and shop for art work. Host Parade of Artists in April and the Hill Country Invitational Art Show in October.

BOERNE ART AL FRESCO: 830-248-1617; Boerne, TX 78006www.artalfresco.org. A public art program created by the City of Boerne that brings together community and tourism with a vision and dedication to the arts.

BOERNE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS (BPA): Boerne, TX 78006. http://boerneprofessionalartists.com. Sponsors the Parade of Artists,an annual 3 day festive event held each spring when hundreds of art patrons from around the country visit various art venues in Boerne. The BPA conducts the Saturday BoerneFest Art show and designs a poster for the annual event. BPA sponsors the monthly event, 2nd Saturday Art and Wine, where art galleries provide hors d’oeuvres and refreshments from 4-8p with a free trolley connecting the various venues.

(THE) HILL COUNTRY COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS: 210-857-5997; POB 2024, Boerne, TX 78006. www.hccarts.org. Mission is to develop and sustain an environment that supports and promotes awareness, appreciation, education and access to all the Arts. As a 501c3 nonprofit organization we strive to be an inclusive resource for all the arts, artists, arts organizations, and supporters of the Arts throughout the Texas Hill Country. Formerly Cibolo Arts Council.

LINDA CHALBERG: Boerne, TX 78006. www.lindachalberg.com. Whether the subject is flowers, gardens, historical structures, village scenes, vistas or unique market settings, Linda enjoys the challenge of working out a composition and the enjoyment of putting paint on paper.

FAIR OAKS RANCH: Started as a development of homes and a Country Club in what had previously been a large working ranch and over time became a city. The original large, 5,000 acre, ranch was founded in the 1930's by oil man, Ralph E. Fair. After the deaths of both Mr. Fair and his wife by 1969, the remaining family began to develop the Ranch as a community of various sizes of homes. By 1975, a homeowners association was begun to help maintain the beauty and development of the Ranch. By 1985, incorporation was sought. State laws required two cities to be made - Fair Oaks Ranch South and Fair Oaks Ranch North. Finally, On January 21, 1988, the North and South cities were combined and named Fair Oaks Ranch. The 2010 Census reported a population of 5,986 with over 1,800 homes.

IN THE IRONS EQUESTRIAN CENTER: 210-698-5270; 25785 Boerne Stage Rd., Boerne, TX 78611. www.intheironsequestriancenter.com. Boarding, lessons, shows. Horses reside in a 35-stall barn, which includes under one roof, a climate-controlled tack room, five grooming areas, four wash racks, a kitchen, and large client lounge. Adjacent are roomy paddocks, two lighted arenas, one with a full size dressage arena. Focused on the young rider, but students range in age from 5 to 75, and from beginner and adult amateur riders to serious show competitors.

RUSSELL EQUESTRIAN CENTER: 210-698-3210; 24850 Scenic Loop Rd, San Antonio/Boerne, TX 78255. www.russellequestriancenter.com. 57 acre facility located just NW of San Antonio, and offers three sand arenas, wooded trails, cross country jumps and plenty of open space for hacking. Five large turnout areas. 24 hour manned facility include spacious 12 x 12 box stalls, a convenient tack room providing boarders with personal lockers for storing equipment, and wash areas with hot and cold water. You can comfortably watch the many activities from the large windowed lounge area. A full service barn, offering various care packages, lessons, shows and horses for sale.

SISTERCREEK RANCH: 830-324-6525; 1818 FM 1376, Boerne TX 78006 (but located 6 mi N of Sisterdale). http://sistercreekranch.com. Owners of this 700-acre working ranch have tailored it to be a perfect spot for horse owners to enjoy themselves to the fullest. No horse rentals, you must bring your own horses. Full and pasture boarding. Upscale guest houses, saloon, barn, arena, round pen, and lots of horse riding trails, hiking, catch and release fishing, and great spots for cooling off in the creeks. Available for corporate retreats, meetings, weddings and private parties. Spa services. Tennessee Walker trail horses for sale. All trailers and rv's must be gray and black water self-contained. No drop-ins, ranch is gated and requires security code.

ENCHANTED SPRINGS RANCH: 800-640-5917; 242 TX-46 W, Boerne, TX 78006. www.enchantedspringsranch.com. Authentic Old West town. This 86 acre working ranch excites visitors with its rugged, natural beauty, collection of exotic animals, and authentic time warp - a Western town right out of the 1800s. Originally designed for Western movies, this old west town has 30 buildings and has already been used in several TV films and commercials. Tours, lodging, weddings, private parties, gift shop, chuck wagon dinner shows, wild west days, wagon rides. Exotic animal park. Cowboy Christmas. Daily visitors welcome.

LOCKAWAY STORAGE: 830-201-0956; 29620 IH-10 W, Boerne, TX 78006-9108. www.lockaway-storage.com
THE LODGE AT LEON SPRINGS: 2106989821; 24137 Boerne Stage Rd. San Antonio, TX 78255. https://thelodgeatleonsprings.com. For Profit The Lodge is a unique, licensed assisted living residence for seniors desiring assistance with tasks of daily living. It has been family owned and operated since 1996. With a commitment to quality, our exceptional staff provides personalized care and individualized attention, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Our peaceful setting and low staff-to-resident ratio allow residents to experience a warm and loving community. Respite care is also available. Conveniently located near Boerne, TX, The Lodge residents enjoy the comfort of a spacious, 12,000 sq.ft., Spanish-style home, as well the natural beauty of the historical grounds. Daily activities are designed to promote health and well-being and foster socialization.

AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM: 830-537-5509; 102 City Park Rd, Boerne, TX 78006. Located just off of TX-46, next to the Herff park and the Kendall County Fair Grounds. A non-profit organization established in 1986 to preserve the historic farming implements, tools and artifacts that were used in the Texas Hill Country for tomorrow's generations to learn from and enjoy. Sat 10a-4p and by appointment. www.agmuseum.us

BOERNE BUSINESS ALLIANCE: 888-500-0890; 215 W Bandera Rd, #114-445, Boerne, TX 78006. http://shopboernefirst.com. Dedicated to promoting Boerne as a retail, dining, and entertainment center; and to the maintaining of local businesses, enhancing communication among business owners, maintain the charm and historical presence of downtown Boerne, and in the process, giving back to local charitable organizations and needs within our community.

BOERNE EDUCATION FOUNDATION: http://boerneeducationfoundation.org. A non-profit 501(c)3 corporation formed in 1997 to support Boerne schools. BEF raises money and accepts gifts to be distributed to schools within Boerne ISD. The goal of the foundation is to provide funds beyond the normal operating budget to improve student achievement and to recognize and encourage teaching excellence.

(THE) BOERNE TURN VEREIN: 830-249-2271; 221 E Theissen, Boerne, TX 78006. A 100+ year old membership club, with open bowling to the public, and welcomes new members. Party rentals.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB: www.bgc.com. Inspiring and enabling all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Tutoring, professional services, sports & recreation. Local club: Boys and Girls Club of Boerne, Kristin Skubal, 830-431-0249 -->

CIBOLO NATURE CENTER NATURE CAMP & ART CAMP: 830-249-4616, 140 City Park Rd, Boerne TX 78006. www.cibolo.org. A 100 acre center with hiking trails are laid out to bring the visitor through four dramatically distinct eco-systems. The creek, marshland, meadow and woods each have a unique charm, and each has its owns et of plant and animal life to observe. Named one of the top ten hikes in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Educational center and bookstore in a restored historic building. Concerts semi-monthly.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS (CCSCT): 830-303-4376; Seguin, TX. www.ccsct.org. Mission is to empower low-income families and individuals in South Central Texas by helping them transition out of poverty and become self-sufficient by providing aging, community services (including utility and rental assistance), weatherization, WIC, and child care services.
Local Office: 830-625-6268; 118 W Advogt St, Boerne, TX 78006. County served: Kendall

COW CREEK GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: 830-816-2504; 201 E San Antonio Ave, Ste 100, and 216 Market Ave, Ste 105, Boerne, TX 78006. www.ccgcd.org. Created for the purpose of conserving, preserving, recharging, protecting and preventing waste of groundwater from the aquifers within Kendall County. The District will conduct administrative and technical activities and programs to achieve these purposes.

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF KENDALL COUNTY (THE FAMILY HISTORY PLACE): 830-331-8730; 114 E Blanco Rd, Boerne, TX 78006. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txgskc. Mission of the Genealogical Society of Kendall County is to preserve and promote family history. Please visit our genealogical library, the Family History Place

HILL COUNTRY DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES: 830-249-0025; 38 Cascade Caverns, Boerne, TX 78006. http://hillcountrydailybread.com. A Christian non-profit who's mission is to transform the lives of our neighbors in poverty through a collaboration with churches, agencies, sponsors, and ordinary people who know first hand that each of us has the power to help change a life. Our process is designed to foster long-term, meaningful Christian centered relationships between people in need and people who are called to help. Family to family, neighbor to neighbor, a community united to end situational and generational poverty in our hometown.

HILL COUNTRY FAMILY SERVICES: 830-249-8643; 118 W Advogt, Boerne, TX 78006. www.hcfamilysvcs.org. Provides counseling, food, clothing and emergency financial assistance to Kendall County families in need. Empowers clients by assisting them in making healthy lifestyle choices and provides a connection to other community services and resources.

HILL COUNTRY PREPPER NETWORK: 210-209-9163; Boerne, TX 78006. Community organization. Regular people who trade stories and tips for canning food, storing fuel and other neat things

KENDALL COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION: 830-249-2839; 840 Adler St, Boerne, TX 78006. www.kcfa.org. As a nonprofit organization, KCFA strives to promote agricultural education, leadership and agricultural entrepreneurship; encourage and recognize the achievement of youth in agricultural, horticultural and livestock management as they also encourage youth academic achievement and leadership experiences, promote the involvement of women in business, nutrition and home based businesses, encourage agricultural, horticultural and livestock related industries and other community nonprofit and civic interests toward positive rural economic development within the whole of the Hill Country community.

KENDALL COUNTY WOMEN'S SHELTER (KCWS): 830-331-1001; HOT Line: 800-495-8078; 830-331-8950; 930 N School St, POB 1087, Boerne, TX 78006. www.kcwstexas.org. Provides safe, emergency shelter in a supportive environment where Texas Hill Country victims of domestic violence and their children can begin the healing process and receive the support services they need to build new lives. If you are in need of assistance, Residential Specialists are available 24/7 to take your call.
KCWS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: 830-331-8950; 930 N School St, POB 1087, Boerne, TX 78006. Also see thrift store below in Retail section and on Comfort page.

LEADERSHIP BOERNE: http://leadershipboerne.org. A community Leadership program aimed at increasing the leadership pool for the present and future of the Boerne area. Sponsored by the Boerne Chamber of Commerce.

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS: www.npsot.org. Promoting research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example. A non-profit organization supported by grants, donations and member dues.
Local: Boerne Chapter, www.npsot.org/wp/boerne. Meet 1st Tue, Jan-June and Sep–Dec, with a social beginning at 6:30p. Meetings are generally held at the Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium, 140 City Park Rd, Boerne

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL: www.optimist.org. A worldwide voluntary non-profit organization of civic-minded men and women banded together to serve the youth of the community, encourage personal growth and adopt optimism as a philosophy of life.
Local: Hill Country Optimist of Kendall County, http://hillcountryoptimist.org. 830-331-4094; Meets in Boerne.

RAINBOW SENIOR CENTER AT KRONKOSKY PLACE: 830-249-2114; 17 Old San Antonio Rd, Boerne, TX 78006. www.rainbowseniorcenter.com. for active adults 55 and older AND offers many daily activities such as dominoes, bridge, Sit and Be Fit, a comprehensive Physical Fitness Center designed for those over 55, art class, computer classes, care giver support groups.

ROTARY CLUB: www.rotary.org. Rotary is a worldwide organization of business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
Local: Boerne Sunrise, 210-710-2798; www.boernesunriserotary.com, FacebookLocal: Boerne Noon, www.clubrunner.ca/boernenoon, Facebook, Meets Fri, noon, at The Kronkosky Place
Local: Rotary Club of Fair Oaks, www.fairoaksranchrotary.org, Facebook, meets Wed Noon-1p except 4th Wed at 6p, at Fair Oaks Ranch Country Club, 7900 Fair Oaks Pkwy, in the Ballroom

STILL WATER: 888-361-2631; POB 1885, Boerne, TX 78006. www.stillwatersportscamp.com. A non-profit over-night summer sports/adventure/leadership camp organization that brings together kids from every type of background in a setting where they can all have first time experiences together both in adventure and the love of Christ. Open for ages 5-18. Camp facilities are rented in Blanco, TX, Leakey, TX, and Pagosa Springs, CO.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW): www.vfw.org. A congressionally chartered organization that works on behalf of American veterans by lobbying Congress for better veterans' health care and benefits; and maintains a nationwide organization of employees and volunteers to assist veterans with their VA disability claims; and donates millions of dollars and hours for community service. Local VFW Post: #688, Bruno Phillip/William Bordelon Post, 210-269-4444; 17 Old San Antonio Rd, Boerne, TX 78006. Meets 2nd Tue 6:30p